What is Attendance Allowance?

Attendance Allowance is a tax‑free, benefit for people who are over State Pension, who need help with personal care or supervision due to a disability, illness, or long‑term health condition.  A lot of people are worried whether a claim will be too intrusive – but as this allowance is not means tested – there is no reason to share your financial situation with the claim team.

It helps cover the extra costs of needing care, and your income or savings do not affect eligibility. You also don’t need to have a carer—the payment is based solely on your care needs.

The benefit is paid at two weekly rates depending on whether you need help during the day, at night, or both.

Typical tasks it supports include washing, dressing, moving around safely, managing medication, or being supervised to avoid harm.

Receiving Attendance Allowance can also unlock other financial support, such as extra Pension Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, or Council Tax Reduction or Carer’s Allowance.

Eligibility for Attendance Allowance

You can claim Attendance Allowance if:

1. You are over State Pension age
You must have reached State Pension age to qualify. The UK state pension age is 66, but is determined by your date of birth – you can check when you might qualify here.

2. You have a disability or long term health condition

3. This includes physical, mental, or sensory disabilities (e.g., mobility issues, dementia, sight or hearing impairments).

4. You need help with personal care or supervision

You must require help with daily tasks such as washing, dressing, moving around safely, taking medication, or need supervision to stay safe.

5. Your care or supervision needs have lasted at least 6 months
This applies unless you’re terminally ill, in which case you can claim immediately.

6. You are not already receiving certain other disability benefits
You generally cannot claim Attendance Allowance if you already receive:
• PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

7. You don’t need to have a carer
It doesn’t matter whether someone is currently caring for you—the allowance is based on your needs, not whether care is being provided.

Attendance Allowance Payment Rates & How it is paid

Attendance Allowance Payment Rates

There are currently 2 rates based on your needs:

Lower Rate – £73.90 per week

• You get the lower rate if you need help or supervision during the day OR during the night.

Higher Rate – £110.40 per week

• You get the higher rate if you need help or supervision during both the day AND the night, or if you’re terminally ill.

How it’s paid

Payments are usually made every 4 weeks directly into your bank account.

Extras

Recipients also receive a £10 Christmas Bonus (paid in December).

How to Claim Attendance Allowance

Get the claim form (AA1A)

You can claim Attendance Allowance by completing the AA1A application form, which you can obtain in two ways:

• By phone: Call the Attendance Allowance helpline and request a form.
• Online (download): You can download and print the AA1A form from GOV.UK.

When you phone for a form, your claim can be backdated to the date of your call if you return it within six weeks.

Preparing to Fill the Form

Before starting, read the guidance notes carefully and consider keeping a diary of your care needs for at least a week. Record tasks you need help with, including personal care like bathing, dressing, using the toilet, taking medication, eating, and mobility. Include help needed at night and note how often assistance is required. This diary will help you provide detailed examples on the form.

Fill in the form with detailed information

The form asks you to describe:

• What difficulties you have
• What care or supervision you need
• How your condition affects your day‑to‑day life
• Focus on the help you need, not just the help you currently receive
• Describe difficulties with personal care tasks, such as washing, dressing, managing medication, or responding to emergencies.
• Include any support from carer’s, family, or friends, but it is not required to have someone helping you to qualify.
• Be honest about good and bad days, and provide specific examples of how your condition affects daily life.
• If you are terminally ill, you can use the Special Rules (SR1) form to fast-track your claim.

The form is long (around 28–30 pages), and many people under‑report their needs, which can affect the outcome. Taking your time or getting support can help. If you need help completing the form then please do get in touch with the Community Office who will be able to help or put you in touch with the right support team.

Getting Help

Ask for assistance with completing the form:

• Citizens Advice can offer guidance on filling in the form – you can book a virtual appointment with a local representative at the Mashamshire Community Office.
• Drop into a local Age UK branch for support and advice tailored to your needs.
• Ask Friends, relatives, or carer’s to help complete the form, especially if they have been helping diarize your needs as evidence.

Submitting the Form

Once completed, send the form to the DWP and keep a copy of the form and any supporting documents. You may include medical reports or letters from carers, though these are optional.

By following these steps and providing detailed, honest information about your care needs, you increase the likelihood of a successful Attendance Allowance claim.

Send the completed form

After completing the form, post it to the address provided on the form. Payments will be made directly into your bank account if your claim is approved.

If you’re terminally ill

If a doctor has said you have 12 months or less to live, you can apply under the special rules, and your claim is fast‑tracked with a higher rate awarded automatically.

Entitlement to other benefits if you claim Attendance Allowance

You may be entitled to other benefits

If you receive Attendance Allowance, it can increase what you get from other benefits.

The payment itself is tax-free, not means-tested, and won’t reduce any other benefits you receive.

However, it can affect whether you or someone who cares for you can claim additional support such as Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit, or Council Tax Reduction.

Attendance Allowance and Carer’s Allowance

If you get Attendance Allowance, someone who looks after you for at least 35 hours a week may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance.

To qualify, the carer must:

• be aged 16 or over
• earn £151 or less a week (after tax)
• not be in full-time education

You can’t receive Carer’s Allowance for yourself, but your carer can — as long as you receive Attendance Allowance at either the lower or higher rate.

Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit

Getting Attendance Allowance can increase your Pension Credit payments.
You may qualify for an extra amount called a Severe Disability Addition if:

• you live alone (or only with other adults who also get a qualifying disability benefit), and
• no one claims Carer’s Allowance for looking after you.

This addition increases your guarantee credit amount, meaning your Pension Credit total could rise.

Attendance Allowance and Council Tax Reduction

Your local council may offer extra Council Tax Reduction if you get Attendance Allowance.
Each council has its own scheme, but you might qualify for:

• a disabled band reduction if your home has been adapted, or
• a means-tested reduction that accounts for your Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance and Housing Benefit

Attendance Allowance does not count as income for Housing Benefit calculations.

However, it can lead to a Severe Disability Premium, increasing your overall entitlement if you live alone and no one claims Carer’s Allowance for you.

Find out how this works: GOV.UK – Housing Benefit

Attendance Allowance and Universal Credit

If you already get Attendance Allowance, it will not affect your Universal Credit payments.
However, people of State Pension age can’t make new claims for Universal Credit — they would usually apply for Pension Credit instead.

Attendance Allowance and Income Tax

Attendance Allowance is tax-free.
You don’t need to declare it on your tax return, and it won’t increase your taxable income or affect your tax code.

How Attendance Allowance Affects Other People

If someone claims Carer’s Allowance for looking after you, this may slightly reduce certain income-related benefits you get, such as Pension Credit.
However, in most cases the overall household income increases because of the Carer’s Allowance payment.